(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Positive change

Local health professionals advise adding healthy options versus weight loss goals for new year’s resolution

Dec 31, 2019 | 1:50 PM

The new year means new goals for many of us.

While weight loss might be top of mind when some reach for the proverbial January 1 reset button, two P.A. based diet and exercise experts are encouraging people to look at their new year’s health objectives in a more holistic way.

Amanda Geradts, a registered dietician at the P.A. Enhanced Health and Diabetes Centre says your resolutions will be more effective if you aim to add something new, as opposed to taking something away.

For example, instead of cutting out fast food or limiting calorie intake, target exercising once a week or packing a lunch most days.

She says this reframing removes shame and allows for long-term success.

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“Being ashamed of the way you’re currently eating and kind of beating yourself up about that – some people find that’s a good motivator like a kick in the pants to get them started, but it usually isn’t sustainable,” she told paNOW.

“The thing you want to look for for long-term success is positive changes, we want people to look forward to the changes that they’re making.”

Geradts says she also counsels her clients against setting weight loss goals and instead directs those interested in slimming down toward “health-promoting behaviours” they have control over.

“They can choose to be active one day a week or set a regular bedtime, but weight loss isn’t a behavior. You don’t wake up and say ‘Today I’m going to lose weight,’” she explained.

“If they do some of those healthy behaviours, their health is going to improve and they may lose weight as a result, or they may not. But they got healthier regardless and that’s really what’s going to improve the quality of life.”

Meanwhile the general manager of Prince Albert Goodlife Fitness estimates the gym sells three times more memberships in January than it does during any other month.

Jessica Zurowski encourages people to think about increasing their fitness as a lifestyle change as opposed to just a new year’s resolution.

But she says if the holiday gives people the motivation they need to make healthier choices, that’s a positive thing.

“If what it takes for someone to get started is to be like ‘new year, new me’ then that’s great,” she said.

Zurowski added instead of going to the gym because you feel like you have to, look for an activity you enjoy and find a new passion you’ll look forward to doing.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom